The EU Mutual Learning Programme in Gender Equality – Combatting digital forms of violence against women – Finland – 6-7 February 2025

The Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence requires all EU countries to criminalise four distinct forms of cyber violence. These are non-consensual sharing of intimate or manipulated material, cyber stalking, cyber harassment, and cyber incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group, defined by reference to gender. It was adopted in May 2024 and the deadline for its transposition is June 2027. The mutual learning seminar, co-hosted by Finland and Iceland, brought together policymakers and experts from 17 countries to exchange good practices and discuss ways forward.

Host country Finland has addressed the issue in its current Action Plan for Combatting Violence Against Women, which features measures aimed at preventing and raising awareness of digital violence: these include an open-access online training module for professionals, training of professionals and conducting a study on the challenges of tackling digital violence against women in police work, criminal procedure and support services. Development of the new action plan for the period 2026-2033 is under way. Finland furthermore embarked on a reform of its legal system to ensure enhanced protection in the digital space, focusing on non-consensual sharing of intimate and manipulated images, cyber stalking and harassment, and cyber incitement to violence or hatred. 

Co-host Iceland provided examples of good practice involving legislative amendments, policy measures, awareness-raising campaigns and other preventive measures as well as work with perpetrators. New provisions on digital sexual violence and stalking were added to the Penal Code in 2021, focusing on the principle of consent, encompassing the whole chain of distributors and recognising the twofold harm of sexual and privacy violation. Policy reform addressed preventive and awareness-raising measures, including a dedicated action plan for children and young people, educational campaigns on sexual privacy, films, toolkits for teachers, cooperation between police and schools, strengthening of the emergency hotline and campaigns targeted at perpetrators as well as the general public. 

During the seminar, participants spoke of the need for increased funding, a change in social attitudes, effective awareness campaigns, specific training of professionals and law enforcement, more research and improved data collection as well as more streamlined support services, making it easier for victims to seek help and report offences as well as better access to justice for victims. They also highlighted the need for a continued focus on prevention of violence, which requires tailoring awareness-raising campaigns to different target groups such as victims, perpetrators and by-standers, and engaging men and boys. Digital education and partnerships are also important factors. Despite the growing extent of the problem, participants agreed there were many positive examples to take from the seminar that could be discussed and eventually implemented locally.